U.S. civilian cops offer expertise to Iraqi police

Officer Brian Acree relies on experience and an easygoing Southern style to get through frustrating situations.

U.S. troops demonstrate the proper stance in firing an AK-47 rifle to new Iraqi recruits during training in Baghdad, Iraq. Recently, there has been a surge in civilian cops training Iraqi officers in urban police work. (AP Photo)

By Doug Smith, Saif Rasheed Los Angeles Times

RAMADI, Iraq — Like most days in the field for Atlanta cop Brian Acree, this one was shaping up as a polite but determined competition between the Army way, the Iraqi way and the Georgia way.